Evidence of plasmotomy in Blastocystis hominis

Parasitol Res. 2007 Nov;101(6):1521-5. doi: 10.1007/s00436-007-0670-0. Epub 2007 Aug 16.

Abstract

Blastocystis hominis has been regarded as an enigmatic parasite as many aspects of its basic biology remain uncertain. Many reproductive processes have been suggested for the organism; however, to date, only the binary fission has been proven. Plasmotomy is one of the modes of reproduction previously suggested to be seen in in vitro cultures. The present study provides trichrome and acridine orange staining evidence for the existence of nucleic acid suggestive of division of nucleus into multinucleate forms with the respective cytoplasm dividing giving rise to two or three progeny B. hominis. Transmission electron micrographs further confirmed that these daughter cells had respective surrounding surface coat, mitochondria, and vacuoles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acridine Orange
  • Animals
  • Azo Compounds
  • Blastocystis Infections / parasitology
  • Blastocystis hominis / physiology*
  • Blastocystis hominis / ultrastructure
  • Eosine Yellowish-(YS)
  • Humans
  • Methyl Green
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Reproduction, Asexual / physiology*
  • Staining and Labeling

Substances

  • Azo Compounds
  • trichrome stain
  • Methyl Green
  • Acridine Orange
  • Eosine Yellowish-(YS)